Chris and I just returned from a week long vacation – without the kids.  It was the most uninterrupted time we’ve had together since our honeymoon, and I treasured every second.  The simple joy of sitting at a cafe and staring out the window for an hour can not be understated. It was nice to [...]

Some people in my life always make me smile.  My Aunt Sheila is one of those people.  She is so optimistic and enthusiastic and energetic.  I really appreciate her zest for life and sunshiny attitude.  Seriously, she’s always laughing or smiling or listening. Because Sheila is only a year younger than my mom, she was [...]

The trouble with winter afternoons in Chicago is two-fold: not only are they cold, but they tend to get dark pretty early.  As a mother, this leaves me in a quandry: how do I fill the time between nap and bed?? Lately, I’ve been keeping the kids busy with simple crafts that require little more [...]

Little Evelyn has been very interested in money lately.  I’m not exactly sure what sparked this interest – perhaps its because her Dad works so hard and she sees me doing so much work from my home office.  I explain to her that we work so we can earn money to provide for her and [...]

By no means am I a crafty girl.  Sure, I can hold my own in the kitchen, and when it comes to whipping up homemade household cleaners I’ve become quite a champ.  But, crafting requires patience and skill and creativity, characteristics I’d rather devote towards other endeavors. However, now that the sun sets by 5 [...]

One of Evie’s favorite things to do when her little brother naps is play with Play-Doh.  “Mom, can I play play dough?” she asks so sweetly, not knowing that I cringe a little bit on the inside whenever she asks because A) it makes a huge mess and B) I get a little anxious about [...]

My youngest sister Colleen is getting married in a couple months.  She has been dating Rob for several years, so we are all very happy to officially welcome him to our family.  They make a great couple! My grandma and aunts hosted a lovely wedding shower in Colleen’s honor yesterday.  Because she is my sister [...]

The “Blissard of 2011” has blown through town, leaving frigid temperatures and piles of snow in its wake.  Its too cold to go outside with little ones, and even if it was warmer the snow and slush and ice make the sidewalks impassable with a stroller.  So, we enjoyed (another) day inside. To stave off [...]

We woke up this morning to snow! Lots of it! Along with the snow came some chilly temperatures, so we spent most of the day inside. By 11 am Evelyn was getting antsy. I knew I should keep her busy or else she would A) beg for cartoons, B) wake her napping brother, or C) [...]

I am not a very crafty person. AlthoughI have no idea how to turn something like a toilet paper roll into a bird house, I really enjoy the idea of crafting itself. Working with loved ones to create something unique and creative – what’s not to love about that?! Today while Mack napped Evelyn and [...]